The end is nigh for the $10.2 million Cambridge Pathway, and it can’t come soon enough for two polarised groups.
If graffiti on a Waipā District Council sign outside the Gaslight Theatre is to be believed, “No one wanted this!”
No one wanted this – project sign outside Gaslight Theatre at the start of the Te Awa River ride copped more graffiti recently. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
But then there are the people who stick their heads up on social media every now and again – or email the council – to say they cannot wait for the opportunity to ride through the town on their bikes, untroubled by vehicles.
The sections being worked on – Bryce, Alpha, Wilson and Bath streets – will be finished just after Souter House in Victoria Street next month.
The Cambridge Pathway under construction on lower Alpha Street towards the Te Awa River trail. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Once finished, the orange cones and shingle will disappear until work starts later this year on the pathway extension near Cambridge Middle School on Clare and Grey streets.
Transport manager Bryan Hudson told The News while signs suggests there would be a new roundabout for Williamson Street and Dominion Ave, plus a raised intersection near the Victoria High Level bridge, road engineers were having a rethink and consultation would take place with the community.
Building raised footpaths to protect trees has taken place in Bryce Street. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Cambridge Pathway links existing paths and was a joint investment in safe walking, scootering and cycling to make it easier and safer for people to walk and cycle.
The council banked $7.2 million from Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency Climate Emergency Relief Fund’s Transport Choices programme before the coalition government put similar projects on hold.
Changes to the southern end of Cambridge Pathway will be made after community consultation.
The pedestrian crossing and green path beside the Masonic Lodge on the corner of Bryce and Queen streets has confused motorists and cyclists. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
But there has been some confusion about the status of the pathway where green bits sit alongside pedestrian crossings.
“Legally the vehicle driver needs to give way to both pedestrians and cyclists using these crossing points. There is a give way sign for the driver just before the crossing point to indicate that,” the council said in a statement.
“The sign advising path users to ‘watch for traffic’ is to alert a cyclist, that they still need to take care and make sure they have been seen by vehicle drivers and the vehicle is going to actually stop for them. The same as pedestrians on a pedestrian crossing should look to see that they have been seen and the driver can stop in time if they step out.”
Nearly there: Work at the end of Wilson Street on the Cambridge Pathway is almost complete. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Bryce Street at the eastern intersection with Hamilton Road. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Nearly there: Work at the end of Wilson Street on the Cambridge Pathway is almost complete. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
